HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-2021-10 - Resolution Reached Between Polocorp and Working Group - 19-41 Mill Street
Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee
REPORT TO:
DATE OF MEETING: March 8, 2021
SUBMITTED BY: Rosa Bustamante, Director of Planning, 519-741-2200 ext. 7319
PREPARED BY: Brian Bateman, Senior Planner, 519-741-2200 ext. 7869
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 9
DATE OF REPORT: February 24, 2021
REPORT NO.: DSD-2021-10
SUBJECT: Resolution Reached between Polocorp and Working Group
Members
19-41 Mill Street Applications
RECOMMENDATION:
For Information.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
The purpose of this report is to advise Council regarding discussions held between
Polocorp and the Working Group in response to
compromise around the building height and floor space ratio for the proposed Official
Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment applications for properties located at
19-41 Mill Street.
Community engagement included:
o Meetings with Polocorp and Working Group from February 17 to February 24,
o Meetings with Polocorp, Working Group, staff and Councillor Chapman
This report supports the delivery of core services.
BACKGROUND:
Polocorp Inc. has made application to the City of Kitchener for an Official Plan Amendment
and Zoning By-law Amendment proposing to change the designation and zoning of the lands
at 19 - 41 Mill Street to permit the lands to be developed with a multiple residential building
with heights ranging from 3 to 12 storeys. The lands are in the Mill Courtland Woodside
Park Secondary Plan and are currently designated Low Density Commercial Residential
and zoned Commercial Residential One Zone (CR-1).
The applications were brought to Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee on February
8, 2021. The decision was deferred due to concerns raised particularly around the size and
scope of the development. Committee asked to seek a compromise regarding the height
and density of the project. It was requested that staff facilitate discussions between
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Polocorp and members of the Working Group, who comprise 5 residents of the immediate
area and Councillor Chapman.
REPORT:
Report DSD-21-005 was discussed at the February 8 PSIC statutory public meeting. Given
numerous concerns expressed by members of the public mainly around the height and
density, staff facilitated discussions between Polocorp and members of the Working Group
to seek a compromise to lower the height and floor space ratio of a proposed multi-level
residential building. Staff was directed by Committee to report back on March 8 with the
results.
Since then, several meetings and discussions occurred between the two parties, initiated
mainly between themselves to try and reach consensus on the height and floor space ratio.
Staff is pleased to report that a compromise has been reached agreeing to a lower building
height of maximum 8 storeys and maximum floor space ratio of 2.0. This in alignment with
the Neighbourhood Planning Review (NPR) undertaken for this neighbourhood and that was
brought to the December 9, 2019 PSIC meeting. The NPR proposes a Medium Rise
Residential land use designation for the subject lands with a maximum building height of 8
storeys and maximum floor space ratio of 2.0.
Polocorp has decided to not move forward with the development under consideration at this
time and is instead proposing a less dense form of residential development to include a
combination of 3 and 4 storey stacked townhomes and back-to-back townhomes. In order
to provide staff time to review, assess and prepare revised official plan and zoning by-law
amendment documents additional time is required. Staff anticipate being in a position to
present the revised application and associated planning recommendation by Q2 (April
June) 2021.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports the delivery of core services.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
Operating Budget The recommendation has no impact on the Operating Budget.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM
the council / committee meeting.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
DSD-21-005 Staff report
Planning Act
APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager of Development Services
ATTACHMENTS:
None